Man, I Feel Like A Woman

I tend to feel like I took a gamble with G, and won the jackpot.  Not always.  I mean, damn these last couple years have definitely had their rough moments (understatement of the century).  But overall, I chose to marry my best friend and I don't regret that decision.

Which all sounds so deep, amusingly enough.  Because the topic of conversation today is about how I got lucky and married a man who truly tends to encourage me to spend money on beauty/fashion/etc.  I'm a bit of a tighter fist with money which greatly conflicts with my love of being a woman.  I say, "honey I want to spend money to buy this curling iron" and he doesn't even blink.  I describe a make-up palette and why I'm considering it and he says, "I think you should get it."  I married a man who compliments the way I tend to either look natural, or sexy, but not over the top, and who loves that I'm so womanly.

And on the other side of that coin is I married a boy who has turned into a man.  Mmm.  He knows what he likes, he's unapologetic about liking to look good, and he appreciates manly things.  No, we're not talking football (of which he's not really a fan), but things like a glass of scotch, the scent of a good cigar, a straight edge shave, and a three piece suit.  Old school man.

We haven't always been this way, and in fact, we've sort of naturally gravitated towards those opposites as we grew up together.  But it works.  He holds the door and walks on the outside of the sidewalk.  I don't try and hide the fact that I tend to have swaying hips as I walk and a flirtatious personality.  We're sometimes like a real life version of some old black and white film.  We have a delicious chemistry.

So I keep it in mind when he slowly asks me not to dye my hair blonde (something I'm always threatening to do).  I'm headed to the salon this afternoon to have them work their magic on my silver threads (a.k.a. my grandmother's contribution to my looks), and plan to go dark for the fall.  Then it will be home to pamper myself a bit, and relax (the stupid grand prix is here this weekend flying through the streets of our city, so I'm staying in).  I'll try and update with pics later if it looks like a dramatic change!

Life is good, and I'm enjoying a slow weekend before a packed week next week.  Glucose tests, coffee dates with friends, and a party... oh my!

My Recent Haul

I should explain that I normally feel really guilty spending money on myself.  So, spending a ton on getting my hair cut and colored (and realizing I will need to continue spending that money for upkeep) is a little hyperventilation inducing.  However, it's kind of the flow lately.  I've noticed that for the last month or so I don't blink at ordering anything I want off of a menu, I don't debate (with myself) much on prices of things I really want... basically I've gone from being super indecisive to super duper decisive.  

First, I finally had to buy a new pot of La Mer cream.  That means I used it usually once a day (sometimes more, sometimes less) from early November to Late May... about 7 months.  I still love it, it still keeps my face super soft and now I'm trying to decide if I want to splurge on their eye cream or go with a drugstore brand.

To help the moisturizer go farther I scrub my face with Philosophy's The Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash.  I can use this every day, it's not a harsh scrub, and it sets my skin up to really take in the moisturizer.

The downside to being pregnant has been that unfortunately, forcing myself to sleep on my left side I've started breaking out where I'm lying on my arm.  For someone who normally has that skin you hate it's so blemish free I kind of freaked out.  I instantly knew I needed a drying mask, so I splurged on Fresh's Umbrian Clay mask bar.  It's phenomenal, it lasts forever, and is easy to use (just wet face, wet bar, rub bar on and let dry).  It seems to have been helping, though I need to use it more often (it's in the guest bath and I forget).

I splurged at both Smashbox and Sephora, and I picked up those from the post yesterday.  I ordered a brow brush from Smashbox to use with their brow color I already have... but now with the dyed eyebrows it might be going back.  I also ordered the contour kit to maybe help as my face gets rounder with baby weight.  I have great dimples, now I'd love some cheekbones.

From Sephora I simply re-ordered my Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer and then also ordered some eyeshadow primer since my eyes are the area I tend to focus on.  I'll do an update after I've tried the primer and the contour kit.  I love both stores because they have super easy return policies in case a product simply doesn't work for you.

I have a couple other beauty store purchases to make, such as an eye make-up remover and a heated eyelash curler.  It's been good pampering myself.

Day of Indulgence

I rolled out of bed this morning and threw some clothes on (skinny jeans, navy tank, grey cardi, silver chains and leopard kitten heels). I made a point to try and do a bit more eyeliner (my favorite make-up item) and some taupe shadow (NARS Corfu) with lots of mascara.  I've been watching youtube videos like crazy, trying to learn to do some of my favorite looks.  Then it was off to the land of happy (a.k.a. the salon).

*Now, before we continue I think it should be noted that I apparently have no shame.  I found the whole process highly amusing and at one point was trying to figure out if I should whip out an eye pencil and draw a big mole on the side of my face because I was pretty sure that for a half hour I looked like something from the powdered days of France... you'll see.*

I went in at 1 and left at 4 and that alone is insane.  My next appointment is for a cut and color and I'm thinking that I'm going to be there a while.  I rolled up to the gate, beeped in, and then as soon as I entered the salon got some ice water and stalked the coffee percolator, waiting for my caffeine fix.  Made some coffee and settled in while Oriel mixed up the colors.  I went for a glaze base, then highlights and lowlights.  It's subtle, it looks natural, but a little less "cute" and a little more "badass."

Midway through. At one point he said I was like Lady Gaga to which I responded "that b**ch ain't got nothing on me."  There were also plenty of jokes about trying to hide from aliens.

I made this super weird expression. We dyed my eyebrows too (which I love because it really defined them and I think I like them for the first time in my life!)... hence wanting a mole.  I looked super pale with super dark hair and eyebrows.  Wish I knew how to photoshop better...

View from my cafe at lunch.  Love the Mount Vernon neighborhood.

Toulouse sausages, spiced lentils and grilled baguette with a parsley puree. 

Delicious berry tart.

Wait, what?  You wanted to see my hair?  Oh, sorry...

As you can see, it's not really as dark as the pics make it look.  Though it does look dark in person, nothing too drastic.  

Super shiny and had very little body thanks to how sleek the whole process made it.  We also put moroccan oil in it, and I bought some (holy moley it's expensive!) to use at home.  My hair felt so much like silk I kept running my hands through it.  And my lovely stylist spent the time kind of instructing me on how to dry it to get my bangs trained and to get some more fluff.  I'm going to be trying to make some sexy waves in it this weekend to see how that goes.  It's still long enough for a chignon and a ponytail for the heat.  

I'm in love with the color.  I'm even more in love with my eyebrows.  This was exactly what I needed when I'm feeling so frumpy.  Next on the list is going through my wardrobe, switching seasons out and re-visiting my Planned Purchases Database.  I really feel the need to hunt down the motorcycle boots soon.  Because my hair finally looks like "me."

Ch-Ch-Changes

I went tonight to my salon to have my hair cut.  It was bugging me with the length and the fact that the layers weren't really there any more, and it was just blah. Case in point... me having lunch today:

Delicious lunch.

Not so delicious hair.

My stylist rocks though, and as soon as I told her what I wanted she went to town to give it to me.  (side note, my salon rocks and they have things like coffee and soda and wine available to enjoy while you're there... I may or may not have had about 1/8 cup of red wine.)  As we cut into it, we chatted about vacations and such.  Then moved onto coloring it to cover my shocking white-as-snow hairs that have been popping up (thanks Grandma!)...which I'll be doing tomorrow afternoon.  And we discussed how we're both kind of in love with makeup tutorials on youtube.  But anyway, in the end she kindly snapped a photo for me since it was so humid I knew as soon as I left the salon the body would fall.  So, voila:

Looking at this photo, I kind of love my natural color.  However, the white hairs have to go.  She suggested a subtle ombre coloring, but after looking it over online tonight I think I'd prefer just some dimensional shading with some deep chocolates and some lighter browns to define all the layers.  We'll discuss as she's doing my eyebrows tomorrow...the dang bushes!

So, what do you think?  I'm loving the longer, messy bangs.  And the length gives me just enough to pull back on hot days.

Needing An Update

This was me on Saturday:

My hair has no shape and no body.  Sure, it's easier to pull back and manage.  But seriously?  I need to make a hair appointment.  I think I'm skipping the bangs (since in the summer heat it's too easy for them to get all gross) and going with some long layers.  I've had to cancel 2 appointments for hair over the last 5 months and it's been driving me batty.  I think I'm calling in the morning to set something up for next week.

I also have been a lazy dresser lately.  Usually jeans and a black tee with a necklace or a pretty scarf worn as one.  So Saturday I mustered up a little bit of sense and threw on the green dress, a long beaded necklace, my black leather jacket and black boots.  My feet were killing me at the end of the day but damn if I didn't make it through a lunch at the local Chinese restaurant, tramping around IKEA and searching through Good Will for any finds.  It was the first time I wore anything but flats in forever and I think my foot was both relieved to be in something pretty, but exhausted by the end of it.

I really need to organize my closet and figure out what I need to go shopping for.  This summer I will be all about dresses and cute skirts.  But I need to find some comfortable sandals to go with, since the Banana Republic ones I bought almost two years ago on super clearance (I think they were $5) kill my toes within 5 seconds.  If you've found any great comfortable sandals let me know.  I'm looking for some wedge sandals and some gladiator sandals. 

We all go through slumps.  It just takes realizing it to get out of our doldrums and do something about it.

Oh, and I've been asked about the weight loss.  Honestly it's been the simple formula of eat a more healthy rounded diet full of fruits, veggies, good proteins (not necessarily lean), whole grains, natural fats (a.k.a. not margarine or canola oil.....things like butter, olive oil, coconut oil), and plenty of water and whole milk.  I still drink upwards of 6 cups of coffee in one sitting, with sugar and cream.  And I haven't even seen the gym since G left.  It's about finding movement in your day to day....parking further away from a store, taking more stairs, going for walks with friends.  And getting more sleep helps as well!

It Rubs The Lotion On It's Skin

*Yes, I'm quoting the crazy guy from The Silence of the Lambs.  We do that often in this house.

So, one thing I've been doing in an attempt to change habits is putting lotion on every night.  I have dry skin (though hopefully installing a water softener later this Spring will help), and so I really should moisturize more.  It's the reason I spend an insane amount on La Mer face lotion (and for an update, my jar I bought in November is still going strong, though it will be empty sometime next month).

I swear by lotion bars.  I use ones made by Dee from her etsy store Dees Bee Boutique.  She raises her own honey bees and her lotion bars are the best I've tried really.  I use the unscented though I've tried her other scents and am planning to order her masculine ones for G.  Her lotion bar was one of the natural products I tried last year when I was trying to get the word out about using more natural body products and I've been a loyal fan ever since.  The bars do last forever though, and I'm just getting ready to order another for the summer.

But in the meantime I picked up a bottle of Alba Organics lotion for Extra Dry Skin.  Honestly, the smell is odd, and brings me back to my childhood because I think it smells like sunscreen.  And I'm not sold on it's moisturizing power yet, but I've been using it for a few days, so I'll let you know after a couple of weeks.  I'm looking forward to the warmer weather and using the lotion bars instead (it's been so cold and I've been so cold that I had trouble rubbing them in).

When I was on my Mediterranean cruise a couple years ago my friend brought lotion and told me to use it to my hearts content because she didn't want to have to lug the big bottle home.  Between that and the soft water on the ship I came home all soft and glowy with super shiny healthy hair.  I'm trying to slowly get that back.  G bought the water softener but too late realized we needed a professional.  So I'm hoping that after I get it installed it works as well as the cruise ship so that he comes home to a soft skinned, glowing, shiny haired wife.  And really, I'd appreciate it myself!

Aspirin

Tracey (La Belette Rouge) mentioned on facebook last month about an aspirin mask.  She was kind enough to give me the link to the recipe she uses.  And then while I bought some aspirin before G left, today was the first day I decided to go ahead and give it a try. 

I mixed the 3 aspirin with a few drops of water (next time I'll be trying it with either honey or yogurt, as Tracey suggested), then applied it and let it sit for about 10 minutes.  Rinsed off and applied a moisturizer.  I'm going to attempt to make every Friday night/Saturday morning my time for pampering.  I've heard great things about this mask making the skin baby soft and even helping reduce redness, so I will keep you guys up to date if I continue to love it.  I'm definitely loving it today.  Skin is super soft and smooth. 

Have you ever tried any homemade treatments for your face or body?  Do share!

Lazy Like Sunday Morning

 I've lost a total of 6.5 lbs, so the 5 lb reward of OPI's Cuckoo for this Color is mine!  Love it!

I knotted this long scarf with loops and twists and will probably never be able to do it again.  But I loved the sassy-ness of it with the hat.

 Hair back in a simple bun. 

 

 I went into Starbucks first and ordered our coffee while G parked.  I had printed out this coffee sleeve from Eat, Drink, Chic to surprise G with.  He loved it, and even tried to remove it as we left.  I laughed and told him I can print a billion more at home.

Lazy, simple day.  Coffee, Chinese, and laughter.  Nothing better.  Today is less sunshine-y, but we've been getting a lot done, including setting up my antique vanity in a spot in our suite where I can do my hair and make-up and have a little bit of space to myself.  I can't wait to show you how it turns out! 

Lasting Luxury

Back in October I visited the La Mer counter at Nordstrom.  After trying the original moisturizing cream and their eye cream as well I asked if there was any way to get a small sample to try for a few days to kind of see how my skin liked it.  It's an expensive product, and I am not willing to splurge for something I'm not sure about.  The woman working that day was extremely nice, agreed that you really no need to try it for a few days and promptly filled two sample containers with a generous amount of both the original cream and the eye cream (the eye balm intense).

Those two containers last me about 2 weeks.  It was insane, really.  But I found with exfoliated skin the rubbing into your fingers and patting on method (versus simple slathering on) really did work, and allowed me to use less product.  So early to mid November off I headed back to the store* to pick up a 1 oz. container of it.  I told G that if I liked it after using up this container that I would be continuing with it, to make sure he understood the cost before I bought.  He agreed that it made my skin soft (I have dry skin, so it really was miraculous), and that the cost was worth it.  I assumed that I would need a refill by the middle of January, guessing one jar would last me two months.  I still had some of my rose cream from Korres, which I was using at night once I got La Mer.

I was wrong.  Oh so wrong.  With the product being in a white glass jar I really wasn't certain the volume of product, since I know some companies use this as a way of making it look like the container holds more than it actually does.  And so the other night, trying to determine how much I had left I decided to use the very scientific manner of sticking my finger down through it to the bottom.  I turned to G with a shocked face.... I was a little over halfway through the container!  And it's nearly the middle of February!

Now, I do not use this every day.  There are some days I'm in a hurry, and just use the Korres, but that's unusual.  I use the La Mer nearly every day, and sometimes twice a day.  I assumed it would not last me long, but I love it, so it was worth the expense to me.  At the rate I'm going, the cream is turning out to cost me only about a dollar a day.  And I don't see that as so expensive.  Even if it was $2-3 a day I wouldn't blink.  To say I am pleased with this product would be an understatement.  My skin loves it, it doesn't cause any breakouts, and it feels luxurious, an important thing for me.  My beauty routine is sacred and me time and it should feel decadent.  So I am loving something that feels decadent but turns out, not so expensive!  Luxury that lasts longer than you assumed is tres chic!

*I picked up at the store, but actually ordered and paid for it online.  By doing so, I was able to use Ebates, get 5% cash back, and also qualified for their online deal of a travel size of the original cream and two extras.  It rocked, and was so worth the hassle of ordering and having to pick up (we were headed out that way anyway).

Great Deal

I was looking for a top coat to help my Vendetta polish last, and I knew I probably needed a good base coat too, since I like dark nails.  Well, the other day at Trade Secret I picked up a winter set (Pack Your Winter Coat) where it had both the OPI base coat and top coat for the price of one, $8.50.  Only when I got to the counter it was half off, so I got both for a quarter of the cost I would have paid for them if I had bought them individually.  I came home, did the base coat, let it dry, did a coat of vendetta (the purple shows up better with just one coat, and yet looks good), and then a top coat.  A few days later and still no chips!  So what's a girl to do, other than go back and buy 4 more sets?  I basically spent $18, for what normally would have cost $68!!!  I saved $50 and with my love for dark polish it will all get used this year.  If you have a Trade Secret near you I urge you to go look for this deal, it's quite frankly amazing!  And at least at my store, the place they put them is low on a side few people really look at, so there were still plenty even after my splurge tonight. 

Vendetta

For Christmas G got me three things:  The Penguin Classics cloth covered version of Little Women, Erotic Poems by E.E. Cummings (I love this poet), and Chanel nail lacquer in Vendetta.  He bought me the nail polish because I've been stalking it for months, but at $25 for a nail polish I couldn't justify it.  It's a deep, deep purple, nearly black....how I like my dark polishes.  So I looked elsewhere for something comparable to no avail.  I honestly never expected him to get it for me. 

image from You've Got Nail

Well, he did, and this past weekend I put it on (my nails all broke down as short as they could possibly go over Christmas) and I'm in love.  At casual glance the nails look black until the light catches them and a deep royal purple glistens.   I'm a dark nails sort of girl.  I never imagined I would be.  I thought it was too trendy, too "emo."  But I picked up one dark blue last summer and suddenly it was love.  The way it highlights my pale skin (the same reason I ignore any urges to dye my hair blonde) is quite lovely.  And with a name like Vendetta it puts a little edge to my day. 

Do you wear dark nail polish?  Would you ever give it a go? 

Audrey Moment

First, let me get this out of the way..... though I will never have the figure of Audrey Hepburn (I mean, she's not what I think of when I think of curvy role models), her grace and beauty are undeniable and something I aspire to.  She was the original chic woman in my mind, and I adore her, her films, what she had to say.  My dachshund is named Audrey Anne, after Audrey Hepburn and her character in Roman Holiday, Princess Anne.  So of course, knowing her relationship with Mr. Givenchy (who did the dresses for Sabrina....amazing) I have loved his fashion and now beauty products for a long while.  Givenchy Very Irresistible used to be my scent.

So when I was on Sephora and it popped up that for my green eyes the Givenchy eye quad was recommended I hopped over to look at it.  Of course it was a beautiful palette but sold out.  So while out and about I tried it out and both G and I loved it on me.  Not only are the colors divine, and can be layered from soft to intense, but the texture is silky smooth and easy to use.  I am a self-admitted feminine woman who is learning the ropes with hair and make-up slowly and yet even for me it was easy to put on.  It also comes with diagrams for ways to use the colors in groups of 2, 3, and 4 colors. 

I think a chic woman is one who looks great without looking like she tried really hard.  If you look like you're wearing a lot of make-up in the daytime I think it's a fail.  Keep your face more natural (not caked on), and either smoky/colored eyes or bold lips, but never both.  And of course a completely neutral/natural look for day is great!  I've found that for most women (myself included) some mascara swiped on and a little bit of color or clear gloss on the lips is enough for day to day.  If you want a bit more, think of soft colors on your eyes, whether that be a soft smoky look, or some slight coloration.  The purple and greys of this palette really do seem to make my eyes pop a little more, and make me feel oh so sexy. 

Long Beautiful Day

So, I know, I know, I don't have any photos of me showing my new haircut.  Suffice to say I thought I cut about 6-7 but G is estimating a lil closer to 9.  But it looks great.  I just haven't taken any photos of myself at all.  We tried.  The camera died.  Go figure.

This is the only photo G got before the camera died.  Too much light, and my bangs aren't even visible!

But we did make it to the farmer's market, and even picked up some pea shoots that taste like English peas and are delish in this fall season.  Then we tried to get home.  Huge mistake.  The Baltimore Marathon (very poorly marked) held us up in traffic.  G spoke to an officer who said there was absolutely no way for us to get home.  For real.  Lovely.  So we headed to a wine store to kill time for over an hour.  Made it home just in time to print off the groupon for a men's place here in Charm City where G got a hot lather shave and his horrid low quarter military dress shoes got a nice shine without him having to do it! 

 Then it was up towards the shopping center and the grocery store.  Stopped into Sephora, picked up a Givenchy eye quad (more on that later), and also dropped into Burberry where G got to try on some suits.  We like the Brit cut, and he looked amazing.  And I have all the information on it for when I'm ready to get it as a gift for him.  Also spent some time at Nordstroms, including the Le Mer counter.  Picked up a very generous sample of the cream and their concentrated eye cream to try at home on a clean face. 

Stopped in at Barnes and Noble for the French Vogue's 90th Anniversary edition.  It's as thick as a novel, but I'm excited to begin trying to translate as I work my way through it.  The cover is a gorgeous photo I plan to frame for my closet.  A little risque, but I love the lace eye mask (their anniversary section has a thing about galas/soirees with a bunch of masked women). 

Planning to make a pumpkin black bean soup (Indian sorta flavour) tomorrow night for dinner with some grilled chicken breasts, a salad, and a cheese course (including an ash goat's cheese).  For now I'm just relaxing, getting a foot rub, and settling in to snuggle and watch a movie. 

Mindful Monday

On The French Chic board on yahoo (a lovely group of tres chic ladies) I have been trying to help get the board more talkative, and this includes Mindful Mondays.  Today as I was getting ready to post this I realized that it would make a good post for here too!  It's simply what I'm doing to remain mindful about the life I like to lead.  Obviously different life choices would make different lists.  The point is to do things thoughtfully.

My mindful Monday is consisting of cleaning up our tiny little bathroom to make is a better working space.  I have vintage trays that hold products on a shelf, but looking at it I realized I don't really want products I use once in a blue moon taking up valuable shelf space.  So I will be re-organizing to make it only things I reach for often.  Same goes for my tray of make-up.  The occasional use items will get stored under the sink so I can easily find them, but not have them cluttering up our limited space. 

I'm also taking the time to do things for myself, beauty wise.  My toenails haven't been painted in over a month, and my eyebrows haven't been waxed in a year!  So I called a place that came highly recommended for my eyebrows, left a message and hopefully will get that done this week.  I will be getting out the polish after posting this (it can dry while I clean).  And it's Monday, so it's a good day for some pampering.  

I also of course was careful in my lunch, choosing some arugula, tuna, onion, tomato, and radishes for a salad drizzled with honey dijon dressing.  I sliced a piece of french bread, got out a bottle of pellegrino, and chose an apple from our massive bowl of apples.  I'm planning on going for espresso this evening with G and bringing a couple squares of dark chocolate to share.  

G dreads Mondays because of his return to work, but I'm hoping by working on looking nice and having the house nice for when he comes home he'll soon find sweet relief.  We got rid of our claw foot sofa yesterday so our sitting room is open and airy once again (and nice and tidy too), so hopefully he is able to leave work at work and begin to dread Mondays less.  Have you done anything purposefully today to make your life just a little bit nicer? 

Pause

Today is a break from running.  Five days and I did 7 miles.  And today was the first day my body hurt a little.  Yesterday we were running later than normal, and so to beat the sun we did the 1.4 miles in 20 minutes.  That coupled with pizza making and I am exhausted.  So today is a "pamper Kalee" day.  Nail polish, hair conditioning, face mask, you name it, I'm relaxing.  

I'm prepping myself for some big changes later this summer (such as cutting all my hair off, the heat has convinced me this is necessary and I'm just sorting through looks that will work for me).  My parents are bringing some furniture out later this month.  It will be nice to have my buffet where we can store all our table linens.  Right now we just have the space and seem to always be misplacing them!  It's just a short weekend trip, they aren't staying long, but we'll head home in August for my Daddy's 50th birthday!  

This year has taught G and I one major thing and that is that when it comes to our lives, we have every right to be selfish and the only person we have to worry about is each other.  Trying to please everyone else got exhausting and ended up damaging our relationship.  Our little family of 2 is the most important thing in the world to both of us, and if we ever hope to expand that family we have to take care of us first and foremost every time.  

So we're taking care.  Making goals.  Working towards the chic, adventurous life we both love so much.  Downsizing our closets, our home, is helping with all of that.  Because it means we have fewer choices we have to make, fewer things to pick up or clean.  We can just throw on something we love and leave.  And we're taking time to celebrate the little things.  G got his first filling ever in his life yesterday and so what did we do?  Popped a cork and had a glass of sparkling wine.  Strange to some but it was a way of celebrating our life, and that can be done every day.  And really, it should be celebrated every day, right? 

Pearls

Some say diamonds are a girl's best friend (and let's face it, I wouldn't turn down nice ones!).  However I have always and will always love pearls.  So when I saw a 64 inch strand online of 8 mm freshwater pearls  on a site that I had store credit I decided to ask G if I could splurge on a bauble for myself.  His answer was a resolute yes (he loves me in pearls and black dresses).   So now these babies will be mine!  I am already picturing wearing them in Paris next year, but I won't be saving them until then!  

And, as Ms. Chanel is the photo inspiration for the day I must mention that I am in a panic, because my Coco Mademoiselle eau de parfum is nearly gone.  I still have the parfum left, but because of it's high concentration (and tiny little bottle) I save it for special occasions, and in this heat it would burn off too quickly.  I checked the base store and of course they are out!  Hmm, perhaps no5 will become a more frequent scent.  

Mais Oui

G said something to me while we were out shopping that kind of made me pause.  We were discussing how I am a girly girl.  How I love skirts, clutches, and heels.  But he said something about how he loves the surprising twist that I have this secret rock n roll part of me.  I thought for a second and said that I supposed I did, but it wasn't something I gave much thought.  That when I see something I like, I don't question why I like it, unless it seems out of the ordinary for me.  And these "rock n roll" touches he was talking about never made me pause.  

I do love clutches with studs, and I'm on the search for the perfect pair of leopard high heels.  I love black leather, tall boots, and dark smudgy eyeliner.  I don't think it contradicts my ladylike choices, because it doesn't contradict me.  I love the opera but at 3 a.m. on a Friday night/Saturday morning you can find me dancing around either a club or my home in heels and my hair flowing, lost in music.  I love my Audi TT (we really should start a saving account for it), but I've found I also love being on the back of a motorcycle, how my hair cascades down when I take my helmet off.  

People have e-mailed me and asked about clothing choices, about finding similar things to what they've seen me wear.  And I always try to be helpful (it's part of why I started doing the occasional post about my outfits).  But I sometimes worry they are doing what I've done before.  I've looked at blogs, seen the women dressed well in clothes that suit them and that they look happy in and thought, perhaps if I dressed like that.....  But those clothes aren't me.  And when I try, it feel off.  So, I always urge women to sit down with a notebook and write down their favorite outfits, the outfits that make them feel gorgeous, that they don't spend all day fidgeting with.  That is your style.  Perhaps it's one style, like bohemian.  Perhaps it's a mix of style, like lady like and rock n roll.  Don't fight it.  You are who you are, and you are beautiful for the very uniqueness of you.

Nightly Routine

I finally splurged on some products for myself (and to share with G) so my nightly routine has become sort of a mini pampering session.  I think it is entirely possible to do a similar routine with less expensive products, and if you know of any great facial products let me know.  I'm always willing to try new things.


I pull my hair back and using Laura Mercier's purifying oil light wash my face.  Easy to use and it helps moisturize my skin.

Then on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I use the fresh Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask.  It's super soft whipped texture is easy to use without making a mess.  

After I finish with the face mask I rub in a night cream.  Lately I've been using Burt's Bees, but I'm not in love with it.


I brush my teeth, floss and rinse.  Then scrub my nails with a nail brush and moisturize my hands.  I picked up a mini sized hand relief from Aveda last week and it's amazing.  Garret loves it and we're planning on picking up a big bottle when this has run out.  


I get a massage from G for my legs (which have been killing me lately since I've been wearing a lot of heels and dancing).  I am extremely blessed that he will do this for me, even if we've had a disagreement.  (and yes it's nightly, sometimes more than once a night.  I hit the jackpot on spoiled there because he's very, very good at deep massage on my sore calves.)


Simple routine, nothing too fancy.  Occasionally I super moisturize my feet and shove them in their moisturizing booties and then put socks over that.  Or I might put some coconut oil in my hair to soak in. I'm currently looking for a good hair treatment to deep condition on occasion, so if you have one you'd recommend I'm taking suggestions.


Do you do anything to pamper yourself at night?  Or are you the crash at the end of the day but take part of the weekend?  Or maybe need to have a pampering day because you're feeling like it's been a while?

My Mecca

I have always loved make-up.  My grandmama was indulgent when I was little and I could play with her nail polish or lipstick to my heart's content, and my love only grew from there.  At 12 I was buying blue glitter lip gloss from Claire's (oh the horror! But it was in style at the time) and painting my nails similar shades.  It has taken me a while to figure out who I am with make-up, and I am not very good at applying it sometimes, but I have fun with it.  I think it's such a personal thing.  Some people can rock the heavy eye-makeup look, but for me it just ends up making me look like a hooker on her walk home.  Not good.  When I posted this photo on my home blog as part of my cleaning up our bathroom I got a question about my make-up and realized I have never really talked about it.  So let's get all girly (sorry to my readers of the male persuasion) and discuss.  First off the title references the fact that G and I jokingly call Sephora my "mecca" since I can get lost in there and it always cheers me up to visit (still haven't looked for one here in Maryland though).  

Most days I wear nothing, because I figure if I am just staying in or just going to the grocery store it's not worth my time to put make-up on.  It's taken me a long time to feel comfortable in my own skin, I have slightly red cheeks (thanks to Irish heritage and my parents allowing my skin to burn when I was little).  I can already see some signs of how sun damage in my youth (often times my own stupid teenage decision) is showing a bit, but I have spent the last 6 years working on that.  I use sunscreen, I moisturize and I drink plenty of water and eat a balanced diet.  My skin is normally pretty clear, and I don't look too dead when I go bare.  

But when I do wear make-up I keep it simple, with a tinted moisturizer and some mascara.  I fell in love with Laura Mercier's tinted moisturizer this summer.  I was a little late to the game, but being overseas Sephora wouldn't ship to me.  (which was ridiculous since they have stores around the world)  Yes, it's a bit expensive at $42, but I can tell you I bought mine in August, and even wearing it nearly every day for a bit, I still have it.  I am planning on buying a new bottle this week, but 6 months seems fair enough.  Because it's a tinted moisturizer you don't use as much.  At first it will seem like it's not enough coverage, but I was amazed at how quickly my skin took to it and now I look natural and glowing.  I love this product!  I use a concealer by LORAC that I've had for ages, but am planning on buying the Laura Mercier concealer (I have under eye circles) soon.  

NARS is a big brand for me, mainly because I love their colors and their names!  Yes, I have their orgasm blush and it looks amazing on so many skin tones!  It's a good go to when I decide to wear blush.  I also love their cream eyeshadows more than I can say.  I have the corfu color and I love it when I want to add just a little more to my look.  And I also have their lipglosses, in Orgasm and Scandal  with plans to get Bloodwork (which is a red vinyl color).  Orgasm is my every day go to lately, since it adds a neutral gleam to my lips.  I also have the multiple in Riviera that is a nice pink when I want to look all girly and blushing (although they have this in Orgasm as well, and it's on my list).  I do love the company and the names they give their products.  Some of them are a bit risque, but who doesn't love a little danger to their day?

I have the Dior Detective Palette that I bought years ago, but I keep it clean and I love the contour and shimmer it gives my face when I want to look a bit more "done".  I'm also a huge fan of Diorshow mascara and have the regular black (I don't do waterproof, it tends to look clumpy) and the Blackout travel size.  I have tried several mascaras, and while they all work okay, this is my favorite.  I also have the MAC eyeshadow palette that I bought after my make-up was done for my bachelorette party.  I normally stick with natural looking make-up, but if I want a smoky eye, the black and purples in this palette make my green eyes really pop!  And I use a MAC eyeliner (although it ran out last week).  I've used a liquid eyeliner before and love that look as well.

For my nails I tend to leave them bare, but I do like to paint them dark when I'm feeling a bit more sexy. I also love the Ballerina color that I was sent by Stephanie of Bonjour Madame!  One coat and it gives my nails a very polished look.  

I think for me, less is more.  I love a nice vintage black eyeliner look with just mascara.  Or sometimes I add a bit of my MAC Russian Red lipstick to it.  But generally I swipe on some mascara and maybe the tinted moisturizer and I am out the door.  It works for me.  I love so many make-up styles, but it's sorta like clothes.....you can like it and it still not look good on you.  A lot of my make-up is a bit pricier, but I tend to use it past the recommended dates, cleaning it with alcohol so it stays clean and fresh.  My NARS eyeshadow for instance, I have had since right after I got married, nearly 3 years ago.  I need a new one soon, but it's still got plenty around the edge.  And that's with using it pretty much every day for a couple years.  I always say to use a little and add more if need be, rather than applying too much, and wasting it because you have to take it off.

Do you have any make-up products you cannot live without?  Any suggestions for a eyeliner (I am always looking for something easy to use)?

Etsy Finds And a Giveaway!

Earlier last month I began going through my etsy favorites to clear some of them out.  I noticed that there were a lot of natural products that I hadn't tried simply because I told myself it was something silly to spend money on, not knowing how it would do with my skin.  It got me thinking and I e-mailed several of these sellers.  I asked them if they would be willing to send me samples to review.  I told them about this blog, and that I had readers who had e-mailed me and left comments at different times I had talked about skin or hair issues.  And it was amazing.  Several of these sellers were so receptive, even talking about their own journey into natural products.  And so I gathered up the samples and have been trying them out and having G try them out.  There were some that worked so well, and others that didn't work for me and my needs, but I could see how they would work for others.  

SerenitySoapWorks was the first store I contacted.  I received a quick response and within a couple of days had a sample of her unscented Solid Lotion Bar.  The lotion bars were products I was interested in first because of the beeswax component.  And I was not disappointed.  This smelled great, and worked like a charm to soften my skin.  The small sample didn't last long since both G and I used it often!

Photo from YourTimeBodyTreats

YourTimeBodyTreats was one I had saved for forever.  I had been interested in sugar scrubs that weren't chemically laden, and I contacted her about the Honey Almond Sugar Polish.  She sent me a sample that lasted me through a few showers, and I can honestly say it was one of my absolute favorites!  It scrubbed into my skin, but wasn't rough, and the oils in it helped to quench my skin's thirst.  She also sent me a sample in a tiny tin of the Shea Body Butter that she makes, and I loved the smell of it.  Warm, simple, something I could throw in my purse and rub in while I was out.  And last, but definitely not least she sent me a sample of her Chocolate Swirls Vegan Soap.  Absolutely the best smelling thing ever.  I kept muttering to myself "Must not eat the soap, must not eat the soap."  It really does smell so chocolate-y!  For me, soap is soap, but I wanted to try one without any chemicals, and this one fit the bill and smelled out of this world.  My only advice for those who get this is that it can get kind of slimy (as soaps made from oils are want to do) so I recommend a good dish, maybe with some drainage to keep it from sitting in water.  ( I apologize for no photo, it wasn't until after I had already used the products that I realized the photo I had taken was really blurry, all of the products looked just as they do in her shop!)

MystiqueProducts I had contacted about their lotion bar.  By the time we got it all discussed I had already received a couple other lotion bar samples from different shops, so I asked about her shampoo bars as well.  For the lotion bar I received a sample of the Calendula Scented Lotion Bar.  The smell was definitely different, in fact I started giggling because I told G that I thought it made me smell like herbed focaccia bread!  He agreed, and we decided that that bar would be the type you would want to keep in your kitchen.  The shampoo bars I received samples of were the Japanese Camellia and the Bouncing Beer.  These were the two products that just didn't really work for me.  They both smelled good, but I found it difficult to use them.  I know I received small samples, but as G pointed out, you would eventually get down to a small amount even if you had the big bar.  I would lather it up in my hands to use, as well as trying to follow the instructions to rub all over my head, but it just was tough.  I gave each 3 days to see how I liked them.  I normally don't wash my hair that often, but I had to with these, I thought my hair felt dirty (I have read somewhere that this can happen with more natural products as your hair tries to balance itself out).  They also made my hair squeaky clean when I was rinsing them out, I mean, noticeably squeaky, and with my dry hair issues, I just felt like it wasn't working right.  I still have some of each left and plan on giving them another go once we've installed the water softening system, but right now they didn't work for me.  

DeesBeeBoutique was my absolute favorite of the bunch!  I got to try 3 different lotion bar samples, so it allowed me to kind of see how strong her scented ones are.  (for complete disclosure when requesting samples I always asked for unscented, Dee was kind enough to send me 3 different ones to try)  Dee has started raising honeybees, and she even has a blog: http://busybeeswax.blogspot.com/  I received the Unscented which I keep in my bedside table (actually just ran out of this morning!), the Lavender Vanilla which I still have so much left (these things last for forever it seems!) and the White Tea Ginger.  I was a little wary of the white tea ginger, since that isn't a scent I would normally bother with at all, but I loved it!  Her fragrances are very light, and through it all you can smell the sweet smell of beeswax.  

FinnsAndFlowers was a shop I had saved for several reasons.  Mainly because I love the wooden and felted toys they have to offer, and I had saved them during the time I was looking into gifts for my niece. But one big thing caused me to e-mail them:  their beeswax polish.  I have talked previously about wanting to do more research into beeswax products, and this was one of them.  They sent me one of the 2 oz. jars and oh my goodness did I ever fall in love with this!  It smells amazing!  Beeswax makes me think of summer with a gentle breeze blowing through wildflowers, so it was a nice vision to pop into my head.  It also worked beautifully.  Easy to rub in, I actually used it on some antique furniture.  The desk photos from the light review showcase it perfectly.  It made my desk look beautiful, and didn't leave any gross residue.  I plan on ordering from them again anytime my jar gets even close to empty.  

This photo that I had posted on my home blog of the china cabinet?  Oh, yeah, it was taken after treating the front of it with the beeswax polish!  Gorgeous, right?

Overall I was pretty pleased with everything!  I had wanted to try a goat's milk soap, but the shop I contacted never got back to me, and now their shop is empty.  So if you know of anyone who makes soaps with goat's milk, please let me know!  YourTimeBodyTreats has offered my readers a 20% discount on her sugar scrub for a limited time, just mention the discount when checking out and it will be refunded through PayPal! 


Now on to my first giveaway!  


*EDIT*  Giveaway bar is actually going to be from SerenitySoapWorks, as she generously has offered a lotion bar for this giveaway.  There will be a few surprises from me in there, and I am super excited for the possibilities!  

Four Chances To Win:  

1. Leave a comment.  You must do this one, and please leave an e-mail address (or have a blog link) so I can get a hold of you if you win!
2. Become a follower, simple enough.
3. Blog about this and let me know you did!  I want to get the word out about natural products, so this is a big one.
4. Twitter about this and let me know so I can check it out!

Rules:  Only one entry per person for each of the categories.  Giveaway ends Wednesday February 10th, Midnight e.s.t.  Winner will be chosen by random (I am still trying to figure out the little widgets), and announced on Thursday February 11th. 

Since it's a giveaway of my own volition I am choosing to have this open to everyone, international readers as well!  

*And I wanted to state that this review was my idea, the sellers did not pay me for the reviews, and I was free to give negative ones if the products warranted it. Thanks!*